10. Jessica

Jessica

As promised, Cynthia's plane tickets along with details of her five-star hotel booking arrive by courier within three days and I'm over the moon to finally be able to hold them in my hands. The rest of the week passes peacefully enough, and things Alex's end go completely quiet. There are no more phone calls, no more suspicious cars following me home and I'm relieved that he appears to have finally got the message. However, as Saturday draws near, I begin to grow frantic. I'm pacing up and down constantly, tearing my hair out in frustration.

I simply can't do this. I can't go on this date with him. I can't go back to that house and most of all, I can't allow myself to have sex with him again. Much as my body craves him, I know being physical with him again is the last thing I should be doing if I seriously want to put an end to this madness. By giving out mixed signals, I will only create more problems in the long run, so the sooner I find a way to extract myself from his vice-like grip, the better.

Somehow, someway, I need to be honest with Alex and let him down gently, make him understand that this relationship is a non-starter, but the possible repercussions frighten me. If Alex did carry out the arson attack, then what else is he capable of doing if made angry? It doesn't bear thinking about. No matter what happens, I must protect Mum and Freddie at all costs. That will always be my top priority, protecting my family. I simply can't allow them to get mixed up in this.

When Saturday morning comes, I feel so jittery I can barely eat or concentrate on anything other than dreading tonight. I go through the motions, pretending that everything's fine, but inside I'm falling apart. I can't believe I've had so much time to think things over, yet I still haven't a clue how I'm going to get out of this date tonight.

And then sometime around midday, the bell rings and Cynthia answers the door to two smartly dressed men—one holding a bouquet of roses, the other carrying a stack of expensive-looking boxes.

"Jessica, there's a delivery for you!" she calls from the hallway. "Someone has sent you the most gorgeous bouquet of roses. They smell absolutely exquisite."

Bracing myself, I run to the door and accept the flowers and card from the man. Mum's right. The bouquet is spectacular, and I don't need three guesses to work out who sent them. Cynthia takes the roses from me and says she will put them in a vase.

"These are also for you," the other deliveryman smiles, proffering the first of six neatly wrapped boxes that have the name of some upmarket boutique printed all over them. I thank them both and Freddie appears in the doorway to help me wrestle the gifts inside.

After the men have gone, I place the first box on the kitchen countertop and lift off the lid to reveal a stunning orange dress covered with tiger stripes.

"Wow," Mum gasps. "That is out of this world. Isn't that a Vivienne Westwood? Oh my gosh, it is. Are there clothes in all the other boxes too?"

"Yes, and there's shoes in this one!" Freddie grins, and I look down to see he's already torn open another package to reveal a pair of gold Louboutin heels.

"These are all top designer labels," Cynthia enthuses. "They must have cost someone a fortune." She shoots me a look. "Time to ‘fess up Jess. Who's your secret admirer?"

Red with embarrassment, I pick up the card that came with the flowers and see a message scrawled in Alex's intricate hand: Dear Jessica, I couldn't decide which dress to buy you, so I bought them all. I hope you enjoy wearing them as much as I enjoyed picking them out for you. I can't stop thinking about you and am dreaming of the day we meet again. Yours always, Alex.

"Who on earth is Alex?" my mother asks, peering over my shoulder. Hurriedly, I stuff the card in my pocket.

"Oh, um, he's just some guy I know. A new friend of mine."

Dammit, I am so busted.

"Don't give me that," Cynthia laughs. "Do I look like I was born yesterday? I want more details, darling. Where do you know him from? You've never mentioned an ‘Alex' before."

"He's just someone I met on one of the photo shoots. We got talking and sort of clicked and I guess he likes me, that's all. But he's just a friend. There's…there's nothing going on between us."

"Sure, right. You're just friends with this boy and he spent how much on you? Wake up darling. You might only see him as a friend but clearly from what's written in that card, he wants something more."

Moodily, I begin packing away the dresses. "Look, I don't really want to talk about this, okay? I don't have time for relationships, especially not after what happened with Jack Parker, plus I'm too busy working. Like I said, we're just friends, nothing more."

"All right, if you say so." Mum rolls her eyes and sensibly decides to drop the subject. "By the way, when am I going to see some of your photographs?"

"What photographs?"

"From your photo shoots, silly. My baby is a top model and I've yet to see any of your pictures in the magazines."

"That's because they haven't been printed yet," I say quickly. "Photo shoots often take place months before they are featured in a publication. You just need to give it time."

"Yes, but you must have a portfolio that I can see, surely?"

"Yes, of course I've got one, but it's kept at the modelling agency so I can't show it to you right now. But I promise I will show you some pictures soon."

"Great! Can't wait." Quietly, she returns to the sink, takes down a vase from the kitchen cupboard and proceeds to fill it with water. As she does so, the house phone starts ringing. "Darling, can you get that please? I'm a little tied up."

"Sure, no problem," I say, pleased for the diversion. Hurriedly, I race into the hall and pick up the phone. "Hello?"

"I just needed to hear your voice," Alex drawls. "I'm sorry, but I just couldn't hold out any longer. I'm missing you like crazy, my beauty."

"Oh my God," I hiss, looking furtively over my shoulder to make sure Cynthia is out of earshot. "Where are you? Are you outside?"

"No, I'm at home, waiting patiently for you. Hobbs is coming to pick you up tonight as arranged. Did you like the presents I sent?"

"Y-yes," I stammer, nervously playing with the phone cord. "The shoes and dresses are beautiful. Thanks so much, I-I love them."

"Which one did you like best?"

"Um, the one with the tiger print."

"I thought you would. Wear it tonight. You're going to look stunning. You are still coming tonight, aren't you? My dick is throbbing for you and I'm just longing to taste the sweetness of your pussy."

"Jess, who is it?" my mother calls from the kitchen. "Is it Erin?"

"No, it's just a sales call," I shout back. Then, lowering my voice I say, "I'm sorry, I don't think I can come tonight. Something's come up and I don't think I can make it."

"What do you mean?" There's a note of danger in Alex's tone. "You're not trying to cancel on me, are you?"

"I just…I'm not sure tonight is such a good idea."

"Fine. Would you prefer it if I came to collect you myself instead of Hobbs? I'm more than happy to drive over there now and knock on your front door. Your mother and I can have a little chat about who bought those plane tickets."

"No, wait! Please don't do that. Okay, okay, I'll come. But send Hobbs, please." My back stiffens as I hear Freddie's approaching footsteps. "Sorry, I've got to go. I'll see you later." Before Alex can respond, I hastily put the phone down. Shit! My heart is thudding like a Jack hammer.

Jesus Christ, that was intense. He's such a bloody bastard. He's got me like a cornered rat, and he knows it. This is such a tangled web; how the heck will I ever escape?

The next few hours drag on painfully as I count down the minutes until seven pm. It's a struggle to behave normally around my family, and I find that I'm irritable and short-tempered with Freddie, which is totally out of character for me. I'm so nervous I'm constantly wiping away tears of frustration. Eventually, at just before five, Cynthia and Freddie leave the house to visit Erin at her flat in Balham and I tell them I will be going out clubbing tonight with Amina and not to wait up for me.

Once they've gone, I collapse on my bed, relieved I will finally have some peace for a couple of hours to try and sort out this madness. When Hobbs arrives, I would prefer my mother not to be here, so I don't have to answer any awkward questions. I'm tired of telling lies and don't even know what cover story I would give to explain why a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce is picking me up from home at this hour.

At six-thirty, I reluctantly begin to get ready. With a scowl, I slip into the Vivienne Westwood dress, put on a pair of heels and a little bit of make-up, then I throw on my shawl and wait anxiously in the living room for seven o'clock to arrive.

Right on cue, somebody rings on the buzzer, and my muscles tense. I really don't want to do this. For long moments, I sit cross-legged on the living room floor, praying for Hobbs to go away and leave me alone. It's like my body is frozen with indecision and I can't move. Another two minutes pass, and the buzzer goes again, this time the person holding down for a prolonged length of time, indicating their frustration. Still, I don't move. Perhaps if I pretend not to be here, Hobbs will eventually get the message and leave.

For fifteen long minutes, I sit silently in the darkness of the living room, not daring to move a muscle in case of discovery. Nobody rings the door again and as time passes, I stupidly think that perhaps Hobbs has gone and I'm off the hook.

Not a chance.

Out of nowhere, the house phone starts ringing and I almost jump out of my skin. On and on it goes, a shrill discordant sound that pierces the very core of my soul. God, whoever's calling is a persistent sod who is not willing to take no for an answer. On and on the phone rings. Then abruptly it stops before starting up again.

Will this nightmare ever end?

Closing my eyes, I put my hands over my ears in an attempt to drown out the hellish sound.

Fuck off, Hobbs! Just leave me the hell alone.

Finally, something inside me snaps and I decide I will not put up with this crap any longer. I will not be intimidated in my own home. Crawling on my hands and knees, I move discreetly through the hall and in one swift movement, rip out the phone cord from the socket. An eerie silence descends and for what seems forever, I stay rooted to the spot, listening for the sound of a car engine outside. But I hear nothing. Not a thing. Everything is quiet and still.

Hopefully Hobbs has gone away.

After a while, I get to my feet, dust myself off, and head towards the kitchen for a glass of water. My throat is so parched it feels like it's on fire. Taking a mug from the drying rack, I go to the sink, turn on the cold tap and pour myself some water. Gulping it down greedily, I swiftly pour another.

Suddenly, I hear a subtle rustling noise behind me. The mug slips from my fingers and smashes to pieces on the floor. Suddenly, the room feels ice cold and without even turning around, I know that I am not alone. Beads of moisture pop out on my forehead. Slowly, I turn around and almost pass out from fright.

Alex Kingswood is standing in the kitchen doorway. He's wearing the long-hooded cloak that partly obscures his face and at the sight of him, my knees go weak. Trembling with shock, I grip the countertop to steady myself. For a moment, we both just stare at each other, the only soundtrack in the room the distant sound of traffic. Then he takes an imperceptible step forward. Panicking, I snatch a large knife from the chopping board and wave it menacingly at him.

"Stay back!" I hiss. "Don't you dare come near me. Don't take another step forward or I swear to you, I won't hesitate you use this. Do you hear? How did you get in? What the fuck are you doing in my house? Did you break in or what?"

Alex doesn't answer, doesn't move, doesn't finch, just keeps his eyes locked steadily on mine, anger radiating off him like electricity.

"Answer me!" I scream. "What are you doing in my house?"

"Calm down, Jessica," he says quietly. "Put the knife down and we'll talk, okay? I promise I'll explain everything but first you need to put the knife down. You must know that I mean you no harm."

"Like hell you don't! No, I will not put the knife down. Just stay the fuck away from me."

"What happened to our plans for this evening? I thought we had a date?"

"What happened to Hobbs? Why are you here instead of him?"

"I suspected from our conversation on the phone earlier that you might try to bail out on me. I thought you might need some persuading to come out of your house. And it looks as if my suspicions were correct. Now my beauty, I'll ask this just one last time. Put the knife down. You don't want things to get messy, trust me. I've told you, I'm not going to hurt you; I merely want to talk."

At last, I completely lose it. "No, no, no! No more games, Alex. I keep trying to tell you, but you refuse to listen. I don't want to be with you, okay? I can't be your girlfriend, I'm sorry. This relationship isn't going to work. Now please, I'm asking you nicely, get out of my house and please just go away. I don't ever want to see you again."

"No, I will not go away," he replies, his voice laced with menace. "It will never be over between us. Never ever. You're in my head, Jessica. You're the air that I breathe, and we have a bond that can never be broken."

"Jesus, you really are insane, aren't you? What are you talking about? What bond? We barely know each other." I blow air through my cheeks. "The truth is, I'm fucking scared of you and I don't want you anywhere near me or my family because I don't trust you."

"You don't trust me after all I've done for you?"

"Ha! Let's talk about what you've ‘done for me,' shall we? I know everything, Alex. I know what you did to Georgina Wickham. I know it was you who set fire to her home. You threw a bloody petrol bomb! Don't try to deny it. Did you know her arm was severely burnt in the blaze? Doesn't that even bother you at all?"

Abruptly, he goes quiet, and his silence speaks volumes. A wave of nausea washes through me. So, it's true. He did do it. Flipping hell.

"Now Jessica, don't do anything stupid, please be rational…" Alex takes another small step towards me. With a shrill cry, I lunge forward with the knife and attempt to strike him, but he's far too quick for me. In one swift, deadly move, he snatches the weapon, twists my arm up my back and has the knife held to my throat before I can even blink. "All right, baby," he breathes against my neck, "if you want to play with knives—fine! We'll play with knives."

Quivering like a leaf, I try desperately not to move, the edge of the blade precariously close to slicing through the delicate skin of my throat. I can feel the coolness of the metal, the sharp serrated teeth that are just on the precipice of causing everlasting damage. Fuck! Closing my eyes, I exhale softly and try not to think about the enormous erection pressing up against my back. Try desperately not to get aroused by the fear…

"Okay, I admit it," Alex whispers, his lips seductively caressing my earlobe. "I burned down the bitch's house in retaliation for what she did to you. I have no regrets and I would do it again in a heartbeat. For making your life such a misery, that evil bitch deserved every single thing coming to her."

"But surely you can't think it was okay to burn down her house? What about the other people at the party? What if they'd been hurt too…?" My voice trails off.

"I followed you that night you went to the cinema," Alex continues calmly. "I saw what those bitches did to you, heard all the shit they said about you, and how upset you were. I saw how that little prick boyfriend of hers stood you up and left you hanging. You wanted Jack so badly, didn't you, my sweet? Watching the two of you together sent me crazy. I saw how much he turned you on, how much you wanted to fuck him, but then he stabbed you in the back, and you hated him for it. He rejected you the same way you rejected me and right now, I bet you could quite happily murder him. Don't worry, if the bastard so much as breathes in your direction again, I'll rip out his still beating heart and dance on his grave. Nobody, and I mean nobody, fucks around with my property, understand?"

His words send a chill down my spine. The depth of his devotion is scary, and it both excites and frightens in equal measure. Never did I dream I would ever meet someone who would be so committed to me that they would go to these lengths to settle a score on my behalf. Right now, I have so many conflicting emotions and my head is so messed up, I don't know whether to laugh or scream.

"You're insane," I whisper feebly.

"Don't play innocent with me, Jessica. Deep down, I bet you're thrilled about what I did. You can't tell me you didn't once fantasise about doing something similar yourself? All I've done is provide you with the ultimate wish fulfilment."

Very, very slowly, Alex begins to move the knife away from my throat and then, with one deft flick of the blade, slashes my dress straight down the middle, slicing it in two. I gasp in surprise and horror as layers of material peel away and cascade to the floor like two delicate flower petals. I'm now standing in just my bra and knickers and a pair of Louboutin heels with my arm twisted up my back and my body pressed up hard against his. I can feel his heart beating, the warmth of his breath on my neck.

The reprieve doesn't last long, however. Soon the knife returns and hovers menacingly over my chest area, goading, taunting me, and then with another lightning-quick flick, Alex tears open my bra, exposing my naked breasts for all the world to see. Finally, the dreaded blade moves back to my throat and Alex's grip tightens almost to the point of strangulation.

"Now," he says, stroking the metal against the contours of my veins. "I want you to tell me everything that bitch Georgina did to you at school. Tell the truth now because I'll know if you're lying. Be honest, what did she do to you?"

"She…she bullied me for years, did all kinds of terrible things. She turned all the other kids against me, made my life an utter living hell."

"And how did that make you feel?"

"It made me…feel like I wanted to kill myself." I say the last part in a whisper.

"Did you despise her? Tell me you despised her."

"Yes, I despised her, I hated her guts!"

"You see?" Alex crows in triumph. "That wasn't so hard, was it? Georgina destroyed your life so she deserved her comeuppance, wouldn't you agree?"

"Y-yes…"

"Tell me you're pleased I did it."

"I-I'm pleased you did it," I wince, beginning to feel lightheaded. Every part of my body aches and I don't know how much longer I can hold this position.

Suddenly, he releases my arm, removes the knife from my throat and presses the tip of the blade against my spine. "All right, start walking. You lead the way. We're going to your bedroom."

Shaking with fear, I obediently follow orders and stumble down the corridor, Alex overseeing every step of the way with the knife pressed into my back. He's drawn a little blood, I can tell, but not enough to cause any real damage. As soon as we enter my bedroom, he roughly throws me down on the mattress and then, not taking his eyes off me, slowly removes the belt from his trousers. As realisation of his cruel intentions hit, all my energy evaporates, and I'm near paralysed at the prospect of what is to come.

"Turn onto your front. But leave the high heels on. You've been a very, very naughty girl, Jessica, and I'm afraid I'm going to have to punish you just a little bit."

"No Alex, please!" I beg. "I-I'm sorry I tried to attack you. I was just so frightened, I needed to defend myself…"

"Do as I tell you or else. You need to learn some respect and appreciate all the things I do for you."

"I do appreciate you! Please Alex, you know I do!"

"No, you don't. A few minutes ago, you said you didn't want me anymore. You said you wanted me out of your life. You know it was so wrong of you to try to attack me when I've been nothing but good to you. I worship the ground you walk on, yet you'd happily stab me death?"

"No, you've got it all wrong. Please, you've got to believe me."

Suddenly, the knife is pressed against my chin and very, very slowly, without making skin contact, Alex runs the tip of the blade down my throat, down my collarbone, down to the space between my breasts and then down to my abdomen before finally settling on my crotch. For a few terrifying seconds, the knife hovers there, Alex's expression cold and unreadable. Oh, my gosh. What is he going to do next?

"Now, my sweet," he rasps. "This can be easy, or this can hard. Either you accept your punishment like a good girl, or I'm going to need to think of an alternative that will be much more painful. The choice is yours."

"Okay, okay, I'll do it!"

"Good girl. Now turn over and prepare to accept your punishment. I'm going to give you five strokes of the belt. Just five, and then we'll call it quits."

Shutting my eyes, I flip over onto my front and wait anxiously for the reprimand to begin. Terror and excitement whip through my system, and my knickers are completely soaked through. Much as I hate to admit it, I'm turned-on big time by his dominance and find the terrifying unpredictability of his anger deeply arousing.

"Now tell me how sorry you are for trying to stab me," Alex growls.

"I-I'm so sorry, please, I won't do it again…"

Thwack!

The first lash of the belt hits my back with such savagery, I'm almost totally blindsided. Shit, that fucking hurts!

"How can I be sure it won't happen again? How do I know you won't pull a knife on me again?"

"I won't, I promise, please Alex!"

Thwack!

The second stroke stings so much I lose all sense of time. Wracked with pain, I sink my teeth into the pillow to stifle my cries.

Thwack! Thwack!

The third and fourth lashes hit me so hard my eyes fill with tears and my spine is in complete and utter agony. Jesus Christ, that hurts so fucking good.

"Now, my lady," Alex whispers. "Here comes the finale, and this time, I'm going to want to hear true remorse in your voice. Tell me again how sorry you are for trying to kill me."

"I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!"

Thwack!

The final ferocious stroke of the belt lands on my back and the pain is so acute my head completely explodes, making me forget what my name is. But with it too, comes a strange sense of euphoria; an almost joyful feeling of relief like all my sins have been washed away. Panting and covered with sweat, I submerge my face in the pillow to muffle my moans, waiting for the stinging to subside.

Wincing, I imagine what my skin must look like right now all crisscrossed with multiple lacerations. In some fucked up way, the thought of it excites me. The truth is, I enjoyed the thrashing and I'm literally crying out for more. Dammit, I'm really starting to worry myself: I think I like this all a little too much.

"Well done, Jessica," he purrs. "You took every stroke of that like a pro and barely made a sound. I'm very impressed. How do you feel?"

"Good…I feel good," I whisper.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Y-yes…"

"It got you wet, didn't it?"

"Yes."

Roughly, he flips me onto my back and stands at the foot of the bed, towering over me like the angel of death, stroking the belt sensuously between his fingers. His face is absolutely terrifying, like some creature from a Gothic horror story, but all I can think about is what it would be like to have his big monster cock inside me. Shit, my pussy wants him so badly I can barely feel my legs.

Fixing me with sex-starved eyes, Alex pushes the belt through the buckle and creates a double loop. Grabbing my wrists, he pushes them through the belt and pulls it tightly into a makeshift pair of handcuffs. Next, he positions my arms above my head, and I am now lying face up on the bed, my hands restrained with no way of escape. Finally, he rips off my knickers and puts them in his pocket. Then, he picks up the knife from the dresser and holds it again to my throat.

"Now, my sweet," Alex says, his canine teeth glistening in the half-light. "You need to listen very carefully to what I am going to tell you. I'm madly in love with you. I don't want anyone else but you. You're all I ever wanted in a woman, and I will go to any lengths to keep hold of you. I will obliterate anyone who tries to come between us and if I have to kill someone then so be it. You are the first and only girl I have ever slept with, and I never want to give my body to anyone else but you. Every inch of this cock belongs to you."

I nod dumbly, shocked by both his confession of love and the revelation that he too was a virgin when we first met. Somehow, I find that very hard to believe and yet…he seems so sincere, perhaps it is true.

"You have my heart, Jessica, so you'd better take good care of it. It works like this: if you are nice to me, I will treat you like a princess, but if you're bad to me, I'll be like your worst fucking nightmare, so I'm warning you, you'd better not screw me over. My heart wouldn't be able to take it." To emphasise his point, he suddenly presses the knife harder against my throat. "Tell me you love me."

"I-I love you, Alex."

"Tell the truth now. No lying to me. Only say it if you mean it. Do you honestly love me, really and truly?"

"Y-yes," I gasp. "I love you. I love you with all my heart and I…I want to be with you, Alex. No man has ever made me feel the way you do and…how could I not love you?"

"My God," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "You do love me, don't you? You're telling the truth. Oh Jessica, you don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that." Pulling down his hood, he throws down the knife, collapses on top of me and buries his face between my breasts in a flurry of passionate abandon.

For a few heartbeats, he just lies there breathing heavily, the two of us merged as one. Then ravenously, he begins to suck on my breasts, licking and lapping them, making me feel so good I want to scream. Every flick of his tongue sends shockwaves through me, the warmth from his mouth a glorious relief after the brutal reprimand administered just a few short minutes ago.

After a while, Alex stops sucking, lifts his head and gazes up at me with love-filled eyes. We share a moment of silent adoration. Then his thick, full lips find mine and we kiss with a savagery that takes my breath away, sending both my head and my heart to Seventh Heaven. It's at this moment that I realise beyond a shadow of doubt, that I do indeed love Alex Kingswood. I didn't want to love him—I was in denial for so long, all I wanted was to lash out at him. I didn't believe I could fall so quickly for someone so utterly extraordinary.

I tried so hard to fight it; tried to pretend that he had no effect on me, but the truth is he has won me over completely. I have never met anyone like him. He obsesses and excites me in a way no other man ever has. I love the thrill and the danger of him, his passion, his dominance, his kindness, his unwavering devotion—I love it all and I am now irrevocably his. Yes, he's a crazy psycho but that's part of what turns me on most about him. That delicious unpredictability that sets my body alight like nothing else. Is this irresponsible of me? Of course, it is. Is falling in love with a sweet psycho just about the craziest thing I could do? You bet. But I just can't help myself. There's a darkness inside Alex that is far too magnetic for me to resist.

For long moments, we writhe around on the bed, devouring each other's faces like a pair of wild animals, then finally, Alex breaks away and whispers: "I haven't eaten all day and there's only one thing that will satisfy me…"

Before I can respond, his head is between my thighs, eating out my pussy with a hunger that makes my head spin. Fuck, this is insane. Moaning softly, I gaze up at my Spice Girls poster on the wall, barely able to believe that this is actually my life. I can't believe he's going down on me in my bedroom surrounded by all my childhood memories. There's something deeply kinky about it that I find a real turn on. Very soon, he brings me to a shuddering climax that leaves me feeling high as a kite.

"You really felt that, didn't you?" he says, his eyes dancing softly with amusement.

I have no words. I'm too blown away to speak.

Standing to his full height, Alex kicks off his shoes, unclasps his cloak and tosses it on the floor. Then seductively, he pulls his shirt over his head, and I salivate at the sight of powerful biceps and an awesomely chiselled six-pack. Sweet Lord, the word ‘buff' doesn't even come close to describing the beauty of this man's body. It is the pinnacle of perfection and seeing it makes me melt onto the sheets like butter. All I want is to run my hands all over it.

Pleased by my response, Alex continues the striptease and slowly unzips his trousers, drops them to the floor and finally, peels down his boxer shorts so his entire manhood hangs loose. Even slightly flaccid, the sheer size of it makes my insides quake and as he slowly wanks himself to a full erection, I find it hard to contain myself. I want him to shove it in right now. I need so badly to come again. The mushroom-shaped tip is already wet with delectable pre-cum and I can't wait for him to shoot all of that lovely, hot spunk inside me.

"Spread your legs wide for me, my beauty," he breathes. "And get ready to receive what belongs to you."

I don't need telling twice. Obediently, I part my thighs and lay back on the mattress in anticipation of what he has in store. Pinning me down, Alex wastes no time in plunging his thick, hard cock inside me and pulverising my pussy with deep, vicious thrusts that make me scream so loud I'm sure my neighbours must be able to hear me through the walls. Back and forth the bed rocks as a constant soundtrack to our love-making. The mattress springs dig into my spine, but I don't care. Jesus, the sensation is unlike any I've experienced so far, the excitement and terror of my earlier ordeal combining to create the biggest thrill ever.

And then Alex does something I'm not expecting. Looping my legs around his waist, he suddenly sweeps me off the bed with his penis still buried inside me and slams me up against the bedroom door. Faster and faster he pounds, fucking me so hard the whole flat seems to shake, each potent hit taking me a step closer to oblivion. I bite down on his shoulder and try desperately to stifle my screams, not wanting to alert the neighbours.

In the back of my mind, I worry what would happen if my mum and Freddie just happened to return home at this precise moment. What would they say if they knew that good, sweet little Jessica was getting banged in her bedroom by an enormous, filthy beast and enjoying every second of it? What then? It's a scary thought, but right now, I couldn't care less what anyone thinks. All I want is for him to fuck me until I come.

"Look at me," Alex growls, staring deeply into my eyes. I look at him. "Tell me again that you love me. Say it now!"

"I love you."

"Now say my name when you come."

Sensing that I'm close to climaxing, Alex steps it up a gear and pounds me so hard against the door it's like I'm seeing stars. Up and down the wood jerks, creaking in time to each and every slam, and at one point I worry the hinges could cave. At last, we're both feeling the fireworks and yell together as a timeless sense of euphoria descends.

"I fucking love you, Alex Kingswood!" I shout as one final super-charged thrust sends me to the point of no return.

With a loud roar, Alex explodes inside me, expelling a sea of warm sticky semen deep into the core of me. For a couple of seconds, he continues pumping, and then stops abruptly and carefully withdraws. Collapsing to the floor, I sit for a while panting from exhaustion. Gently, he unbuckles the handcuffs and then, sweeping me into his arms, carries me over to the bed. For a short while, we just lie wrapped in each other's arms, soaked in a haze of bliss. My entire body aches from both the sex and the thrashing, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I've never felt so good in my life. Eventually, with a level of reluctance, Alex checks the time on his watch and sits up.

"It's time to make a move," he murmurs, reaching for his trousers on the floor. "We'd better get going before your mum and Freddie return."

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Isn't it obvious? You're still spending the night at mine. We're going ahead with our date as planned. We're going to have the wonderful dinner Mrs Bullivant has cooked for us and then I have a lovely surprise for you. Come on, the sooner we leave, the better. It's quite a long drive back and I want to spend as much time as possible with you before tomorrow."

He's right. We'd better get a move on before my mother gets here.

Hurriedly, we get dressed (me in a different posh frock after he destroyed the other one) and after doing a few cursory security checks around the flat, the two of us climb out of my bedroom window and take the back route through the communal gardens out of the estate. Leaving by the front door was never an option just in case we had the misfortune to bump into Mum and Freddie on their return.

As we trudge across the road towards Alex's car, I glance around nervously, hoping and praying nobody I recognise sees us. Luckily the street is quiet and empty and in no time at all, I'm sitting in the passenger seat of the Range Rover, ready to start the journey.

The drive back to Grimschurch is extremely pleasant. The sky is pitch-black and scattered with thousands of stars. We both say very little, basking in the silent enjoyment of each other's company.

We return to Claremont Hall to find a marvellous candlelit dinner laid on by Mrs Bullivant of roast chicken, freshly picked vegetables from the garden followed by a delicious chocolate cake for dessert, all accompanied by a never-ending flow of expensive champagne.

Once more, we are mostly quiet throughout dinner, exchanging the occasional loving glance across the table, confident in the knowledge that we now have a new understanding between us. Alex can't stop smiling and looks like the cat that got the cream. He knows he's got me right where he wants me, and quite frankly I couldn't give a damn anymore. I'm tired of fighting and besides, being with him is what I want now. By his side, right here, is where I belong.

After dinner, he gently takes my hand. "Come, it's time for me to take you to see your surprise."

"What is it?" I ask playfully with just a little hint of suspicion.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. Now, have patience. In a couple of minutes, you'll soon see."

Getting up from the table, I follow him along a maze of warmly lit corridors to a magnificent library stacked from ceiling to floor with books. It's an enormous split-level room with high windows and a small flight of steps leading to an upper gallery area lined with yet more ancient tomes. Walking over to one of the bookcases, Alex lifts a candelabra off the wall, and just like in the movies, the bookcase revolves to reveal a dark recess behind it. A succession of wall mounted lamps illuminates a stone passage, beyond which stands the entrance to a futuristic looking elevator.

"Wow! A secret tunnel and a lift that goes to somewhere mysterious. Who are you? Bruce Wayne?"

Alex chuckles. "All in good time, my sweet, all in good time. Now, hold my hand…"

Tentatively, I follow him into the passage, and we step inside the glass elevator. Turning to my right, I notice that the metal call button panel shows floor levels that go to B1, B2, B3 and B4.

"Do these take us down to the basement?" I ask.

"Yes. In fact, there are four basement levels below this entire property. Centuries ago, my ancestors built an intricate maze of caverns and secret passages, so we had this lift installed to ensure we make good use of them."

"Wow, that's so cool."

"I'm glad you think so." Alex presses the button for ‘B2' and the lift begins its swift descent. I admit to being extremely curious about where each of the basement floors lead but imagine I'll get the opportunity to explore this further another day.

A minute or so later, we arrive at level B2 and step out into yet another dark passage that leads to a set of red painted doors. Excitedly, Alex pushes them open, and I gasp with surprise to see a magnificent cinema auditorium complete with spotlights and a large projection screen. There are enough seats in the place to accommodate perhaps 50 people.

"Wow, this is amazing! I can't tell you how cool this is."

"Would you like some popcorn, ma'am?" asks a familiar voice.

Spinning round, I see Hobbs standing next to a retro popcorn and candyfloss making machine. My heart melts. I can't believe what a lovely surprise this all is. Alex is so sweet it makes me want to weep.

"Two please, and some bottles of Coca-Cola," Alex smiles, handing me a striped carton overflowing with sticky popcorn. Once we both have hold of our drinks and snacks, Hobbs disappears to the projectionist's booth, and we head down the stairs to the middle row of seats to wait for the movie to start.

"Okay Hobbs, roll the film," Alex commands, putting one arm around me.

"What movie are we watching?" I whisper excitedly.

"Don't worry, you'll see."

Instantly, the lights go dim and the film begins to play. Sepia toned images flash up on screen showing scenes of people dressed in old-fashioned clothing waving goodbye to a large ocean liner as it leaves port. Then beautifully haunting music plays and the words ‘Paramount Pictures Twentieth Century Fox presents,' appear followed by the title of the movie…Titanic.

"Oh, my gosh!" My breath catches. Words can't describe the flood of emotions engulfing me at this moment. It's just a movie. Of course, it's just a movie, but that's not the point. What's important is the meaning behind the gesture, and I'm completely and utterly blown away that he would do something so wonderful for me. Tearfully, I glance up at Alex and he beams down at me, his eyes filled with love.

"Thank you," I croak.

"You're most welcome," he replies softly.